Leafs sign Sundin long-term

The Toronto Maple Leafs have opened up the vault and signed captain Mats Sundin to a long-term deal.

"This is a great day," said Sundin, who reportedly agreed to a six-year $52.5 million US deal.

"I'm very excited about what has happened here. Toronto is the ultimate hockey city to play in. To have a chance to win the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal," he said.

For the Leafs, who have been active this off-season, signing Alexander Mogilny, Robert Reichel and Mikael Renberg, inking their leader was a top priority.

"He has been the cornerstone of growth for us over the past few years," Leafs' general manager and coach Pat Quinn said at a news conference to announcing Sundin's new deal.

Sundin, 30, was paid $7.5 million last season and would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free-agent after the 2001-02 campaign.

The Maple Leafs' captain since 1997, Sundin led Toronto in scoring in 2000-01 with 28 goals and 46 assists while playing all 82 games.

The 28 goals were his lowest total for a full season since joining the Leafs, and questions about Sundin's character and desire to win were raised.

Sundin answered the criticism with an inspiring playoff run, collecting six goals and seven assists in 11 games as Toronto extended the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils to a decisive seventh game in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

A six-time all-star, Sundin made history in 1989, becoming the first European drafted first overall when the Qubec Nordiques selected him with their top pick.

After five seasons with the Nordiques, he was traded to Toronto in a draft-day deal along with Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and a first round pick. Going the other way were Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson, a first-round pick and fan-favourite Wendel Clark.

After missing the playoffs in back-to-back years, Sundin helped the Leafs to a 19-point improvement in 1998-99 to get back into the post-season, advancing as far as the Eastern Conference finals.

In 1999-2000, Sundin led the Leafs to the Northeast Division title, the team's first in 37 years, but they were knocked out of the playoffs by the New Jersey Devils in the conference finals.

Named to Sweden's Olympic team for the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Sundin has 356 goals and 506 assists for 862 points in 848 career games.

The Leafs will also be hoping to discuss a contract extension with star netminder Curtis Joseph.

Joseph has one year remaining on his current deal and can become an unrestricted free agent next July 1.